GOOD, but not quite good enough.

That’s how Colchester United boss John Ward would describe his team, as an overview to this season.

The U’s were on the fringe of the play-off race for so long, but they never really got as close as touching distance to the top six, despite a recent run of just one defeat in 11.

Instead, the U’s have tended to draw too many games – eight of those last 11 have ended in stalemates – suggesting that they have been unable to kill off the opposition.

That has proved their downfall. They have held their own against the likes of Huddersfield, Sheffield United and Carlisle on home soil, but have only been rewarded with draws rather than wins.

“We are extremely close to being a very good side,” explained Ward.

“We are a good side, and we’ve been close to being a very good side for some time.

“Trying to find the way, the reason and the edge –, we haven’t been able to find it.

“We haven’t quite been able to win those extra points we needed to push on,” added Ward.